OTTAWA: ANGLICAN BISHOP ALLOWS PEDOPHILE TO KEEP CHURCH DUTIES

CBC Ottawa June 30, 2004

Ottawa's Anglican bishop says a convicted sex offender may continue his choir conducting duties at St. John's Anglican Church.

John Gallienne plays organ and conducts the adult choir there.

Last month, the bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa came under pressure after a newspaper article revealed Gallienne had been convicted in 1990 of sex crimes against young boys.

After reflection, Bishop Peter Coffin now says Gallienne can continue with his choir duties, but under certain conditions: Gallienne is never to be involved with children or youth, and he can't work in any other church but St. John's.

George Bruce, Bishop of the Ontario Diocese, raised his concerns about the matter in May. He's based in Kingston near the cathedral where the offences took place.

"Our concern from both the diocese and the cathedral was the potential for re-offending and it seems they've addressed that," said Bruce.

St. John's is the only church in Ottawa to offer a program for sex offenders. Called Circles of Support, it helps ex-inmates get back on their feet.

"We're very pleased that the situation at St. John's has been clarified," said Pat Love, an advisor with the support program.

"It's just been so very public that it's been a very painful thing for everybody."

Love says many parishioners have rallied around Gallienne and his wife in past weeks to let them know that, in spite of what happened years ago, they're still welcome in the church.

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